HE may be a rising star for Cardiff City now, but teenage defender Ben Nugent was once released by the Bluebirds.

Nugent, who turns 20 on Thursday, has shot to prominence after an injury crisis in Malky Mackay’s defence and he looks likely to keep his place in the side as the Bluebirds head to Derby tonight.

The centre-half came off the bench early in the victory at home to Middlesbrough as Ben Turner limped off to make his senior debut and made his first senior start and grabbed his first goal as Cardiff won 2-1 at Barnsley on Saturday. But it was only the sheer persistence and commitment of Welwyn Garden City-born Nugent that saw him remain at the club at all.

Aged 17, the 6ft 4ins centre-half suffered a series of injuries and was let go by Cardiff, who were then managed by Dave Jones.

But then-Academy boss Neal Ardley, who has since left to manage AFC Wimbledon, kept faith with Nugent and invited him to keep training with the Bluebirds’ youngsters.

Nugent lived in Somerset at the time and played regular senior football for Western Premier League club Street for a season while also making regular trips over the Severn Bridge to train with Cardiff.

His dedication has now paid off, he is captain of the Bluebirds’ under-21 development side and has now made the step up to the seniors under Mackay’s guidance.

The Bluebirds’ boss has tipped Nugent to become Cardiff captain in the future. It is indeed an assessment the man currently wearing the skipper’s armband concurs with.

Mark Hudson, who has partnered Nugent in the heart of defence, predicts, too, the youngster will one day captain the side, but not just yet.

“I would have to agree with the gaffer’s assessment that Ben will one day be Cardiff skipper, but not for a few years yet,” chuckled Hudson. “The great thing about him is that he has a real willingness to learn every day. He’s pretty quiet and he keeps himself to himself really, but he’s always listening and very quick to pick up on things.

“He’s done brilliantly to come into the side and do so well so quickly.

“There’s no doubt if he carries on in the way he is now he’s got a big future in the game.”

Nugent himself admits he is learning quickly playing along side the likes of Hudson in the Cardiff first team and it is something he wants to experience as often as he can.

“I’ve loved being able to train and play alongside people like Huds, who has such experience. It’s been a remarkable experience already,” said Nugent.

“I enjoy the responsibility of being captain of the development team. Every time I train or even play for the first team is an experience I want to make the most of. That is something I will always do.

“I expect, of course, to be playing a lot more under-21 football over the rest of this season and I’m happy with that, but it’s great to taste first team football.”

Nugent will get a further taste of that first-team action at Pride Park tonight as Mackay’s men look to win back-to-back away games for the first time this season.

Mackay is keeping his finger’s crossed problems in defence again will be sorted with the return to fitness of some key personnel.

Simon Lappin, who is on-loan until the new year from Norwich City, slotted in at left-back at Barnsley, but was sent off late on for two bookable offences and is suspended tonight.

Mackay is hoping defensive trio Andrew Taylor (calf), Kevin McNaughton (thigh) or Turner (hamstring) will be fit tonight. At the moment, left-back Taylor looks the most likely to make the cut.

Don Cowie (ankle) could also be fit to face The Rams although Mackay should have an almost full squad to pick from on Sunday when former boss Jones brings new club Sheffield Wednesday to the Welsh capital as the Bluebirds try to make it a record-breaking 10 league wins at home on the bounce.

But first tonight’s clash looks to be a real tough test for the Bluebirds on the road where, in contrast to at home, they have looked shaky at times so far this campaign. Saturday’s win at Oakwell arrested a three-game losing streak on their travels.

Nigel Clough’s Rams have lost just once in front of their own supporters so far this term and have won their last three at home, most recently triumphing 3-2 against Birmingham.